Mendenhall said he has reduced the number of defenses he is calling since SDSU. In that loss, Mendenhall called 20 defenses in 80 plays. But he had missed assignments. Against New Mexico, he had as few as three plays called for some personnel groups.

"Part of that is the option that New Mexico played, which forces you to reduce calls as well," said the coach. "But overarching all those is execution being the biggest determinant on how we play from here on out, executing our schemes better than our opponent.

"Fewer things to prepare for and fewer things to practice allow you to perform a certain scheme at a higher level of efficiency. The offense has taken the exact same approach so we can play harder and we can play more efficiently and with more precision than we have."

---

Cougars on the air

Colorado St. (3-2, 2-0) at BYU (2-3, 1-2)

Today, 8 p.m.

LaVell Edwards Stadium

TV: Ch. 14

Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM

---

E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com